This article is part of a directory: Complete Guide To Elden Ring: Weapons, Items, Tips, Tricks, Bosses, & Builds
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The Elden Ring community considers Magic as the game's easy mode what with overpowered spells like Comet Azur and other ranged options. Unfortunately, that goes both ways. Enemies that use Magic or deal Magic damage in Elden Ring can often spell doom, especially for hapless Tarnished who underestimate those Burger King nerds at Raya Lucaria Academy.

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That's why being prepared for this kind of damage usually pays. Thankfully, the game gives players tons of options when it comes to Magic-resistant gear. Some of these anti-Magic items even come in a full set and come in varying armor types for those who don't want to wear enchanted rags. So for those tired of getting figuratively sand-kicked in the face with Glintstone Pebbles, look for these armor sets.

Updated June 2, 2022, by Sid Natividad: Magic in Elden Ring is a lot more potent than it is compared to the older Souls games. For that reason alone, it's important to collect the best magic defense armor Elden Ring. Because magic resistance Elden Ring can mean the difference between a victory or a defeat, especially in PvP with Sorcery spammers everywhere.

Thankfully, magic resistance Elden Ring is quite accessible. The rule of thumb is that the lighter and flimsier the armor, the more magic resistance they offer. There's no shortage of that kind of armor in Elden Ring. So in order to make players' choices more specific, we've added even more magic-resistant armor.

12 Crucible Axe/Tree Set

elden ring crucible knight crucible knight ordovis boss fight
  • Location: Auriza Hero's Grave boss (Crucible Axe) or Deeproot Depths (Crucible Tree)
  • Magic Defense Value: 28.2
  • Physical Defense Value: 38.3
  • Poise Value: 58
  • Weight: 36.9

The Crucible Axe or Tree set have near-identical stats and thus, players can't go wrong with either. It's just that the Tree set might be more accessible for some since players only need to fight one Crucible Knight boss for it. Regardless, both armor sets hold up well against magic.

They also compete well with other armor such as Radahn's set when it comes to other stats. As such, it's great for battlemages who want balanced armor or melee builds who are tired of going heavy against magic users. Overall, it's a well-rounded armor set.

11 Noble's Set

noble set in elden ring
  • Location: East Windmill Pasture in Altus Plateau
  • Magic Defense Value: 28.8
  • Physical Defense Value: 12.4
  • Poise Value: 4
  • Weight: 14

The Noble's set is usually only popular for its navy blue hood but it has its uses, especially against magic attacks. While it's severely lacking in the physical mitigation department or even in Poise, it's a great armor for tanking some light but damaging magic attacks.

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This makes the Noble's set a good option for those looking to cut their weight down to a fast or light roll. It's also very easy to find. Players don't even have to fight for this armor set. They can just grab it and run away from its guards.

10 Bull-Goat Set

Elden Ring Bull Goat armor set
  • Location: Magma Wyrm boss room in Ruin-Strewn Precipice (players have to accept Patches' Volcano Manor quest first)
  • Magic Defense Value: 28.9
  • Physical Defense Value: 45
  • Poise Value: 100
  • Weight: 63

It's definitely not the first thing that comes to mind when picking mage armor, but the Bull-Goat set goes all-in on every aspect of defense. It also cranks up the weight all the way to 63, making it the heaviest armor in the game.

Still, it's great for both tanky melee builds and tanky battlemages alike. The astronomical Poise value means players can keep attacking or casting against any magic-user enemy. The weight problem can easily be fixed through some talismans or a Wondrous Physick Mix.

9 Mushroom Set

Elden-Ring-Mushroom-Armor-Set
  • Location: Lake of Rot for the helmet, Seethewater Cave in Mt. Gelmir for everything else
  • Magic Defense Value: 28.9
  • Physical Defense Value: 13.1
  • Poise Value: 2
  • Weight: 12.1

If players can get past the goofiness of this armor, wearing it has its own rewards. Because the helmet is almost mandatory for anyone running a Poison build. The physical defense is not good and the Poise value is laughable but what is there to expect from an armor made out of fungus?

At the very least, the Mushroom set makes for an excellent defensive countermeasure against magically-inclined enemies in PvP or against those nerds in Raya Lucaria Academy. As an added bonus, players get to be as light as a pack of button shrooms.

8 Scaled Set

elden ring scaled set
  • Location: Reward for killing Old Knight Istvan as part of the Volcano Manor contract quest.
  • Magic Defense Value: 28.9
  • Physical Defense Value: 36.7
  • Poise Value: 58
  • Weight: 38

The Scaled set is a more serious version of the Mushroom set for those who want armor that can actually tank multiple sources of damage. It has a lot more poise and the same magic defense. The downside? It's a lot heavier. In fact, it's one of the heaviest medium-heavy armor sets in the game.

It's great for players who focus on their melee builds going after magic builds but for battlemages, there are better options out there. Still, one can't deny the Elden Bling potential of this armor. It's a little rough around the edges, at least the defenses are respectable.

7 Astrologer's Set

astrologer-header
  • Location: Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes
  • Magic Defense Value: 29
  • Physical Defense Value: 13.6
  • Poise Value: 10
  • Weight: 13.3

Turns out players don't have to go far to look for an armor set that protects them from Magic damage. The Astrologer's starting equipment offers plenty of that sort of protection. At a total of 29 Magic defense, it's one of the highest in the game and even surpasses some heavier or more advanced armor.

But for those who don't start as an Astrologer, the Astrologer's Set can be bought from the Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes. He's the one resting by the Liurnia Lake Shore Site of Grace. Players can easily see him from the distance coming from Stormveil Castle since his campfire raises a high and visible pillar of smoke.

6 Banished Knight Set

elden ring banished knight armor set
  • Location: Drops from Banished Knight enemies (Stormveil Castle, Castle Sol)
  • Magic Defense Value: 29.3
  • Physical Defense Value: 40.7
  • Poise Value: 60
  • Weight: 41.6

Knight builds and melee characters aren't left behind when it comes to protecting themselves from magical harm. The Banished Knight Set— one of the most beautiful armor sets in the game, is also a competent form of protection against Magic. It's also peak Elden Bling regardless of whether it's the altered or original version. Sure enough, the physical defense value is one of the highest in the game.

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To obtain this armor, players will have to keep killing those Banished Knight enemies. They have a low chance of dropping the armor pieces along with their weapons. The fastest way to do this painstaking farm is by repeatedly killing the Halberd Banished Knight near the Rampart Tower Site of Grace in Stormveil Castle. The knight will be patrolling the floor below the initially inactive elevator.

5 General Radahn Set

Elden Ring Radahn Armor Set
  • Location: Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Starscourge Radahn.
  • Magic Defense Value: 29.3
  • Physical Defense Value: 41
  • Poise Value: 60
  • Weight: 41.6

For those who don't have the mental fortitude of farming the lone Banished Knight near the Rampart Tower in Stormveil Castle, this is a good alternative to the Banished Knight Set. General Radahn's Set has similar stats and an identical Magic defense value. The difference is that acquiring it is simpler and doesn't rely much on low drop rates.

Players only have to kill Starscourge Radahn and go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold. She'll be selling Radahn's armor set to the players as part of the reward for the victory against the boss fight. Of course, Starscourge Radahn is one of the semi-mandatory bosses in the game and is located in Redmane Castle to the southeasternmost tip of Caelid.

4 Queen Of The Full Moon Set

elden ring after rennala
  • Location: Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Rennala, the Queen of the Full Moon.
  • Magic Defense Value: 12.3
  • Physical Defense Value: 29.7
  • Poise Value: 4
  • Weight: 11.1

Then again, some players might be having trouble with Radahn since he's a pretty tough boss. In that case, those looking for Magic defense still will be pleased to know that another (easier) semi-mandatory boss also has an armor associated with her that has high Magic defense. That would be Rennala, the Queen of the Full Moon.

Related: Elden Ring: Best Armor Sets For Magic Builds

She's the main boss of the Raya Lucaria Academy area and Liurnia of the Lakes. Getting to her is simple enough and involves finding a key on the eastern side of the academy to unlock the gate barrier. After players kill Rennala, they'll have to go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold for Rennala's armor. It has poor Physical defense and poise but makes up for it with good Magic and elemental resistance.

3 Royal Knight Set

elden-ring-royal-knight-armor-set
  • Location: Enia in the Roundtable Hold after defeating Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree.
  • Magic Defense Value: 35
  • Physical Defense Value: 30.7
  • Poise Value: 51
  • Weight: 36.9

The Royal Knight Set is the one worn by the boss Loretta whose weaker phantom version resides in Caria Manor. There's a stronger version of her in the Haligtree area. This is a late-game area and killing this original version of Loretta will unlock the armor. Again, players will simply have to kill Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree and go back to Enia in the Roundtable Hold. She'll be selling Loretta's armor afterward.

Getting to the Haligtree area is difficult, of course. One does not simply walk there. In order to unlock the whole Haligtree secret level, follow this guide. It's an extensive quest that should take players around half the game to complete. There are lots of rewards there apart from the Royal Knight Set.

2 Preceptor's Set

elden ring seluvis quest
  • Location: Dropped by Seluvis after he dies in Seluvis' Rise near the end of Ranni's questline.
  • Magic Defense Value: 31.9
  • Physical Defense Value: 13.5
  • Poise Value: 8
  • Weight: 15.9

Turns out Seluvis is also good for more than just his spells or his potion. His armor is also one of the best when it comes to defending oneself against Magic attacks. The Preceptor's Set helmet also comes with the added bonus of increasing FP at the cost of Stamina so it's a spellcaster-focused armor.

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Don't even think about killing Seluvis right away after seeing him for his armor. He just teleports away. The only sure way to get the armor is by waiting for the slimeball Seluvis to die which happens at some point near the end of Ranni's questline. To finish Ranni's questline, follow this guide.

Players can keep checking for Seluvis in his tower, Seluvis Rise during this quest if he kicked the bucket. Because he'll drop his armor set along with his Bell Bearing once he's dead.

1 Lusat's Set

elden-ring-armor-best-lusat-glintstone
  • Location: Sellia Hideaway in Caelid after finishing Sellen's questline.
  • Magic Defense Value: 32.4
  • Physical Defense Value: 15.8
  • Poise Value: 6
  • Weight: 14.3

The best anti-Magic armor in Elden Ring is none other than Master Lusat's robes and helmet. In addition to the Magic defense, it also boosts the Stars of Ruin sorcery which is Master Lusat's signature spell. Unfortunately, obtaining this armor set is part of a lengthy questline involving Sorceress Sellen (found in Waypoint Ruins, Limgrave). Sellen will ask players to look for Lusat and free him. Lusat's in a cave (Sellia Hideaway) north of the Church of the Plague hidden by a fake cliff wall.

Players will have to free Lusat and finish Sellen's questline (making sure to take her side always). They'll then have to come back to Lusat's location in the Caelid cave after Sellen's questline is finished. Lusat will have dropped his armor set after that point. For more details on how to finish Sellen's questline, refer to this guide.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows.

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